thecapitol | (no subject)

Who| Mentors, stylist, escorts, and anyone else keeping up with tributes in an official aspect.
What| The green room
Where| The tribute training center
When| start of the arena
Warnings/Notes| none inherent, tags thread subjects as needed.

The green room this round has been decorated with the sensibility of what would be, in our era, a turn of the century sitting room. Dark wood paneling, thick rich red velvet furniture, and plush red curtains drawn back over various monitors with heavy gold cords. Although the room is quiet large to contain so many people, it gives the impression of being intimate. The Avoxes, decked out in vaguely militaristic attire, serve food and drink in silver and crystal dishes, gold alcohol catching the light of the stained glass lamps around the room.

In the center of the room is a holographic projection of the arena, highlighting in flickering lights where each tribute is. Panels hidden discretely in the wood paneling can change the view of any of the screens so a mentor or stylist can pull up their own tribute, or one whom they would like to observe.

The projection can easily be shifted, with the flick of a hand, on to the person's own tablet, or even to be projected on one of the sitting tables placed around the room. On their screens other various information can be easily accessed: current odds, gossip, and even communication from potential bidders.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"--Oh! So you've heard me before." The modesty in his averted gaze does not make it as far as his voice. It's about as genuine as his surprise (of course Finnick's heard him before). "The Capitol does have many, many ears-- but I never knew yours were among them." He will have to think on this later - about how, if he is only as good as his audience, does that also mean he is only as famous as his audience? Is much of his audience this famous?

"...Is there someone you'd like me to mention, Mr. Odair?" Cecil's tone, slow and knowing, makes perfectly clear that he sees exactly what direction Finnick's pushing him-- and also that the flattery worked.

"You might be surprised at the parts of me that have been interested in you." Clearly, the time for subtly is over. He has Cecil on the line and all he has to do is reel a little more and he'll be in the boat. So to speak.

"And if you were able to put your support behind Mr. Hawkeye, I'm sure he and I would both appreciate it. Well, me more than anyone, since I'll be the one listening to you."

Finnick is laying it on thick. He may be setting himself up for a nasty surprise later, but for now he's pretty damn confident of himself.

"...Well." Cecil's eyebrows are practically in his hairline, and the grin stretched across his face is near-disbelieving. Here's something he'd not expected, not remotely, something that hadn't crossed his mind-- or, well, okay, it's crossed his mind, but never in any serious capacity-- that he would draw that kind of interest from a Victor. From Finnick Odair. People who have their pick of the Capitol usually don't have much interest in him. (He wonders briefly how much of it is genuine, and then decides that he doesn't want that to be relevant right now. Who cares, right?)

This isn't something he's prepared a response for, and so he latches onto the part he has experience to contend with, before the seconds between statement and reply can stretch too long. "--Well! I will certainly have to keep a closer eye on our Mr. Hawkeye, then." There is a promise in these words. Finnick's appreciation, he finds, is something he would be totally okay with holding onto. He leans just a little closer-- not difficult, as they're still shoulder to shoulder-- and says, low and heavy with conspiracy: "Keep your ears open, Finnick."

"You will have my complete attention, I promise." It almost seems too easy, he should probably feel bad for how hard Cecil had fallen. "And you know, doing me this favor, it means I'll owe you something in return. Keep that in mind and by all means, don't be a stranger. I want to hear from you again, and not just for your wonderful voice."

He gives Cecil one last wink before he removes his arm and turns his attention back toward the arena. He can't let his normal duties get too far behind, even if his duties include whatever it was he was just doing with Cecil.

Cecil's last reply is to Finnick's retreating back. "Oh, you will, Finnick! You will."

He watches Finnick go, wondering how long is polite to wait between talking with a Victor and talking again with a Victor. He wonders what the going rate is for Finnick Odair's time. He wonders if press discounts apply to vague promises made by charming young Mentors at green room parties. He wonders if he could get it counted as an on-the-job expense, or if Finnick would consider an hour or two alone sufficient payment for an increase in Hawkeye's sponsorship.

He doesn't know. He'll have to ask. He's never arranged a private interview with a Victor before, after all! And what a coup for his show, and the network, and for him! Just the thought of the ratings boost an on-air interview with the Capitol's favorite Victor will bring fills him with excitement.

He returns to his tablet, grin fixed firmly in place, with a final fond glance after Finnick. Man. He loves his new job.